Genesis 4:17-26

17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.
22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of[a] bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth,[b] saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on[c] the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:17-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 4

In this chapter an account is given of the two eldest children of Adam and Eve, their names and calling, Ge 4:1,2 and of their different offerings to the Lord, and the different respect had unto them by him, which in Cain issued in wrath and envy, which appeared in his countenance, and were taken notice of by the Lord, and about which he reasoned with him, Ge 4:3-7 but it had no effect upon him, he murdered his brother, upon which he was examined about him, but denied he knew anything of him where he was, Ge 4:8,9 he is arraigned, convicted and condemned, sentence passed upon him, and that executed, which he complains of, and is mitigated, or however a protection is granted him, and a mark set on him for his security, Ge 4:10-15 after which we have an account of his posterity for several generations, their names, and the business of some of them, Ge 4:16-24 and the chapter is closed with the birth of another son, and of a grandson to Adam and Eve, in whose days was the beginning of social religion.

Cross References 17

  • 1. S ver 1
  • 2. Psalms 55:9
  • 3. Psalms 49:11
  • 4. Genesis 6:2
  • 5. Genesis 29:28; Deuteronomy 21:15; Ruth 4:11; 1 Samuel 1:2
  • 6. Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 16:16; 1 Chronicles 25:3; Psalms 33:2; Psalms 43:4; Isaiah 16:11; Daniel 3:5
  • 7. Job 21:12; Job 30:31; Psalms 150:4
  • 8. Exodus 35:35; 1 Samuel 13:19; 2 Kings 24:14
  • 9. Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:12; Exodus 23:7; Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 24:17; Deuteronomy 27:24; Deuteronomy 32:35
  • 10. Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Kings 9:7; Psalms 18:47; Psalms 94:1; Isaiah 35:4; Jeremiah 51:56; Nahum 1:2
  • 11. S ver 15
  • 12. Matthew 18:22
  • 13. ver 1
  • 14. Genesis 5:3; 1 Chronicles 1:1
  • 15. ver 8
  • 16. Genesis 5:6; 1 Chronicles 1:1; Luke 3:38
  • 17. Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4; Genesis 21:33; Genesis 22:9; Genesis 26:25; Genesis 33:20; Genesis 35:1; Exodus 17:15; 1 Kings 18:24; Psalms 116:17; Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9; S Acts 2:21; 1 Corinthians 1:2

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or "who instructed all who work in"
  • [b]. "Seth" probably means "granted."
  • [c]. Or "to proclaim"
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